PROVIDENCE — If the rest of the college basketball season is going to be like this, pack extra snacks, some aspirin and a bullhorn to torment the officials.In a wild, whistle-strewn game that lasted a...

Kevin McNamara Journal Sports Writer kevinmcnamara33

PROVIDENCE — If the rest of the college basketball season is going to be like this, pack extra snacks, some aspirin and a bullhorn to torment the officials.

In a wild, whistle-strewn game that lasted a bit more than 21/2 hours, the Providence Friars did just enough to outlast the Boston College Eagles in overtime, 82-78. A hearty crowd of 11,102 at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center sat through the twists and turns of a game that was decided after 56 fouls were called, 60 free throws shot and the night’s few monster plays all going PC’s way.

“Last year we probably would have lost this game,” said Lee Goldsbrough. “But we’ve stuck with coach (Ed) Cooley, bought into the program and we pulled through in the last minute. It’s an exciting win.”

The Friars trailed by four at the half and seemed to have the game in hand in the final three minutes but made some critical, crunch-time miscues to let BC back into it. Bryce Cotton had a chance to win it at the end of regulation, but his 3-point try fell short of the rim and the team’s played on at a 70-70 tie.

In the extra session, Providence saw two players (Kadeem Batts, Josh Fortune) foul out almost right away and trailed 75-72. But Cotton, who is coping with tendinitis in his knee, sparked a comeback that saw the Friars score 10 of the final 13 points.

“I think we’re so blessed to have a young man with his ability,” Cooley said of Cotton, who poured in a game-high 28 points. “He’s sore, didn’t practice for 10 days, and to put a cape on and do what he did today was big. It was an unbelievable team win.”

The win is big, if only because it capped a nightmarish last few days for the PC program. Last Saturday, starting point guard Kris Dunn injured his right shoulder and couldn’t come close to getting back on the floor. Then, just two days ago, freshmen Brandon Austin and Rodney Bullock were suspended for a violation of team rules. In the blink of an eye, Cooley was shuffling his lineups, play calls and defensive options in advance of a nationally televised game against a good Boston College club.

“This has been a tough week. It’s been a tough week for us,” Cooley said. “We prepared for seven weeks for a particular style of play that we had to adjust in three days. Literally three days. All of our seniors, led by Cotton, came up big for us. It was a great team win.

LaDontae Henton was huge along the baseline with 15 points and 13 rebounds. Josh Fortune, one of three Friars who fouled out (to go along with three Eagles), also scored 15 points. BC’s Olivier Hanlan led the Eagles with 23 points, 19 in the second half. Ryan Anderson added 21.

Anderson and Hanlan, a wonderfully crafty guard, helped push the Friars to the limit but just did run out of gas in overtime.

“Whenever you get into overtime it’s basically a new game, but they played a lot better in the overtime,” said Hanlan. “They got a few loose balls and made free throws, so they got away with one.”

Hanlan’s 3-pointer with 1:43 left in overtime gave BC a 78-76 lead. BC was called for a touch foul on Henton in the post and the lefty made two free throws to tie it with 1:28 left. At the other end, Hanlan had the ball and appeared ready to cruise to the hoop, but Goldsbrough poked the ball free and pounced on it for a turnover.

“There was one play in the first half where I could have dove for the ball and didn’t and coach got on me. I remembered that so as soon as I saw another one, I was all over it,” Goldsbrough said.

A career 57-percent foul shooter, the Englishman drained two with 1:13 left to give PC a 80-78 lead. BC came down and Anderson, heavily defended by Goldsbrough, missed a wild lefty layup.

Cotton hit one of two free throws for a 81-78 lead and then after a quick miss by Joe Rahon, Henton made one of two with 16 seconds left and the Friars escaped with a hard-earned win.

On Twitter: @KevinMcNamara33

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